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Students with blindness or vision impairments can encounter a number of challenges in a traditional classroom environment. Not being able to access printed material, videos, images, and other visual content is a common barrier to their learning experience. Technology for visually impaired students is revolutionizing learning outcomes.
As a teacher or parent, you can make a difference by learning more about assistive technology for the visually impaired and making it available to students.
The Importance of Technology for the Visually Impaired
Blindness and vision impairment affect 3% of U.S. children. While specialized learning programs exist, most of these children attend school in traditional classrooms.
Assistive technology is a game-changer for visually impaired students. Recent innovations, such as AI, are making these tools more powerful and user-friendly than ever, resulting in better academic outcomes for students.
Parents and teachers should familiarize themselves with the relevant tools, identify the best solutions, and contact school boards and other decision-makers to incorporate these technologies in the classroom.
Screen Readers
Screen readers are software-based tools that turn text into audio speech. They allow students to interact with written content as long as a digital version is available. Advanced screen readers even enable students to interact with digital learning platforms by selecting options from a menu or other parts of the screen.
Optical Character Recognition Software
Not all materials are available in a digital format, which can limit the use of screen readers. However, students can use Optical Character Recognition (OCR) tools to scan printed materials and automatically generate a digital file.
Modern OCR tools integrate AI to scan unfamiliar fonts or turn handwritten content into digital files.
Image-Description Apps
Image-description apps can address the limitations of screen readers and OCR tools by leveraging AI to describe visual content.
Students can use these tools to take in more of their environment and feel more included. They can also interact with a wider range of educational materials, such as photographs, visual art, diagrams, objects, and more. Microsoft’s Seeing AI and Google Lookout are free tools that can bring images to life for the visually impaired.
Braille Display
Refreshable braille displays use raised pins to represent characters. These tactile displays can turn digital content into braille output, and some braille displays also come with a braille keyboard designed to input commands or type text.
These displays can’t fully replace paper braille since they have formatting limitations. However, they’re a valuable tool for young students who are learning to read braille or for those more comfortable with braille than text-to-speech tools.
Assistive Apps and Software
Technology for the visually impaired also includes varied apps and software:
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Navigation apps with advanced mapping systems can help students get around school. For instance, Clew is an excellent tool for indoor navigation.
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Blind and visually impaired students can benefit from recording and transcribing lectures. KNFB Reader is a great option for older students.
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AccessNote is a must-have app for iOS users. This app helps students take notes and unlocks advanced search capabilities once paired with a braille keyboard.
Smart glasses and recent innovations in the field of AI could also make wearable devices an integral part of tomorrow’s inclusive classrooms. Smart glasses can use AI to capture and enhance footage to cater to each user’s unique vision impairment or use sound to help users navigate and interact with their surroundings.
Tactile Graphics and 3D Printing
Creating tactile teaching aids has never been more accessible, thanks to 3D printing. While there is a learning curve, familiarizing yourself with 3D modeling and printing will allow you to create your own teaching aids, including 3D-printed maps, diagrams, geometric shapes, and more.
Supporting Blind and Visually Impaired Students With the Right Tools
From braille displays to OCR software or AI-powered seeing apps, there are more tools than ever designed to support the blind and visually impaired. However, it’s important to remember that each student is unique and needs a personalized approach to identifying and integrating assistive technology into their learning experience.
Teachers and parents have a crucial role in advocating for the integration of these tools in the classroom. Strategies include seeking additional training and resources, connecting with students so they can be active in selecting the right tools for their needs, and getting the school board involved. Working with nonprofits can also be a great way to access free or low-cost programs for integrating these resources into the classroom.
Stay updated with the latest trends and technologies with VCD’s blog, and learn more about how our vision care plans make eye health more accessible for families.
